Spindle slats for cotton harvesters



April 27, 1948. J. D. RUST SPINDLE SLATS FOR COTTON HARVESTERS Filed March 29, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 m Wm 12 Rad,

April 27, 1948. J. D. RUST SPINDLE SLATS FOR COTTON HARVESTERS Filed March 29, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2' April 27, 1948. J. D. RUST SPINDLE SLATS FOR COTTON HARVESTERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 29, 1944 a F W 7/ 1 w f 8 e a y 0 w 7 w 3 7 2 f a 5 .u E o H m J M .1 1 k TH x n d b H H W 7 Hflm 6% W M. H 9 7 f W] b 9 7 H h 2 M 8 7 M w -O a 1 8 w m m m. L r o I v N a v 2 w E m T M f w I M 6 i 1/. mw h; m .l IJ/ 1 Q I 10 G U 7 M 6L2 k ||I|Illllllllllllllllllclll||.|| r A v i 0 0- u .0 u H 9 9 H J R m 9 John D. Rust,

April 27, 194s.

J, D. RUST SPINDLE SLATS FOR COTTON HARVESTERS Filed March 29, 1944 4 Shams-Sheet 4 gwuexwbo a,

John flRuaZ;

Patented Apr. 27, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPINDLE SLATS FOR COTTON HARVESTERS John D. Rust, Memphis, Tenn. Application March 29, 1944, Serial No. 528,586

12 Claims.

My invention relates to cotton picking machines of the kind disclosed in United States Patents No. Re. 19,411 issued January 1, 1935, No. 1,894,- 198 issued January 10, 1933, No. 2,058,513 issued October 27, 1936, No. 2,023,491 issued December 10, 1935, No. 2,058,514 issued October 27, 1936, No. 2,085,046 issued June 29, 1937, and No. 2,162,- 750 issued June 20, 1939.

The present invention has for its objects to provide spindle-carrying slats having a bearing at each side of the drive roller, the slats each being composed of snap-on elements that may be assembled without the use of screws or bolts; to provide improved quickly replaceable floating friction rails for driving the spindles; to provide an improved hinge for the spindle slats which will serve six purposes, namely, first, to pivot the slats, second to determine the angle of the spindles when in the picking position, third, to determine the stripping angle of the spindles, fourth, to act as a guide for the upper and lower spindle moistening rings, fifth, at least one of the hinges to carry a lug for actuating the moistening device, and sixth, the hinges are snapped onto the spindle-carrying slats and locked securely in place without the use of screws or bolts.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, the invention also resides in the novel details Of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described in the following detailed description, and then be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a cotton picking machine embodying my invention, parts being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of the backbon of one of the spindle-carrying slats.

'Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a, portion of a backbone.

' Fig. 4 is a top plan view of one of the top and bottom ribs.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the same.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of one of the retainer clips.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of a portion of one of the slats and a hinge element attached.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a cross-section on the line |l-ll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of oneof the intermediate ribs.

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view 01' the same.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail view on the line l5--l5 of Fig. 1 showing the spindle-carrying slat mounting at the position adjacent the spindle roughener and auxiliary doffer of my machine.

Figs. 2 to 11 are drawn to the same scale; Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are drawn on a difierent scale than Figs. 2 to 11 or Fig. 1.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings I, i, I, 2 the drive shaft,

slats.

Each slat comprises a sheet metal backbone i which includes a vertical race 6 and two sides 6, the sides 6 being recessed, as at 6", the edges 6 being bent toward one another at angles of 45. Ears 6 are stamped from the recessed parts 6 of at least one of the sides 6'' at suitable intervals to support the intermediate ribs of the The space between opposite portions 6" and the space between opposite portions 6' of the backbone 6 constitute packing-strip-receiving channels.

The top and bottom ribs are of like construction and by reference to Figs. 4 to 11 inclusive it will be seen that these ribs I are each composed of sheet metaland comprise parallel side walls 1", l joined by a rear wall 'I'. At the front the metal sides are inwardly offset as at 1 and then doubled back upon themselves to form springy portions 1. The ends of the ribs lhave inwardly bent portions 1, spaced above the cover portion i of the rear reduced-in-widtb, bearing portion for the uppermost (or lowermost as the case The spaces 8 serve as channels to receive the straps 8 later again referred to. The top and bottom ribs also include rear bearingcarrying portions I with a back wall 1 and top and bottom closures i and 1 respectively (see Figs. 5 and 6). The space confined between the walls l 1 and 1' and the space confined between the walls I. l l and I of the top and bottom ribs 1 and the space confined between the walls 8" and 8 oi the intermediate ribs, constitute bearing-block-receiving pockets.

The intermediate ribs bottom ribs carry three spindles. the intermediate ribs support only two spindles each. Each intermediate rlb comprises the sides I", the back hearing carrier 8', 8*, the sides 8", 8*, being taller than the latter, see Fig. 12, and the end or inner edge portiohsg', l

. 39 carried by a bracket 40.

, the arm may rise and When the ribs 1 and 8 are assembled to the backbone 6 the ribs are snapped over (clipped to) the backbone and the portions 1, 8 snap into the recesses or channels 8 and rest on the ears 8.

Wooden bearing blocks l4 are located in the back portions of the ribs (see Figs. 10 and 11) while long wooden bearing strips l8 extend the full length of the slat between the portions 1, 8 of the sides of the ribs. Felt packing strips II and I2 are located at the front and back of the wooden strips III while felts l are located in front of the blocks H. A fiber strip' l3 lies against the outer side of the wall 6 and fiber strips l6 lie against felt strips I5 which in turn lie against the blocks I4. The wooden strips l8 and the blocks are bored to receive the spindles l8, the rollers 20 and collars IQ of which lie between the fiber strips 13 and IS, the felts H, l2 and I5 being apertured accordingly.

After assembling the backbone 6 with its bearing strip l0, felts II and I2, the spindles 18 may be passed through the fiber strip 13, the felt [2, bearing strip 18 and felt ll. Then. the fiber strips 16 may be put in place on the spindles and the ribs, with assembled bearing blocks l4 slipped on and snapped in place on the backbone, after which a retainer clip 9 is put on over the spindles. This clip comprises a full length channel member comprising a front wall ll side walls 9 with bevelled portions 8 to fit over the backbone and the rib portions 1, 1 and 8, 8 with retaining friction. Top and bottom straps 9 having upturned ends 9 are slipped over and under the upper and lower ribs respectively, as shown in Fig. 10.

In Fig. 15, l. have shown a slat with its spindles in cooperative relation to the spindle roughener of my machine, a brief description of which will follow although I make no claim to the same as such roughener comprises the subject matter of my application filed September 24, 1945, Serial No. 618,105.

The spindle roughener includes a shaft 38 that carries a set of spaced rigid discs 4| to the under faces of which are secured abrasive rings 42. The discs 4| are spaced apart by suitable spacers 43 and secured by a nut 88 threaded on the shaft 38 so that the shaft and the discs with their abrasive rings comprise a unitary structure. The shaft 38 is bored at its lower end to set on a pin The upper end of the shaft carries a swivel head 50 enclosing a suitable radial and thrust bearing (not shown, but well known) and having trunnions all to rest in the bifurcated end of an arm 52 pivotally mounted at 53. An adjustable stop 54 limits the distance hence limits the lift of the stack of abrasive unit. This unit is resiliently suspended by means of a lever 56 fulcrumed at 55 and held by a spring loaded bolt 58. The lever 56 .has its free end inserted in an eye or loop 51 on the arm 52.

59 is a pipe, carried by the frame of the machine. On the pipe 58 is pivoted a rocker 68 one end of which presses on theswivel head 58 while the other end is pivoted to an eye bolt 6! threaded into the upper end of a tubular post 44 on the lower end of which post is a foot 45 which may ride up and down in a fixed guide 46. The post 45 carries suitably spaced pairs of rods 41 having pivot ends 41 on which are .carried shoes 48 that project between the abrasive disc elements 4|, 42. When in non-operating position the shoes rest on top of the metal disc elements 4| leaving both the shoes 48 and the abrasive elements 42 out of contact with the spindles l8. The shoes 48 I have tapered front ends 48" to cause the spindles to ride up overthe arms 48 at all times. At the ends adjacent the post 44 guards 48 are secured on the shoes 48 to prevent cotton from being thrown over those ends and accumulating on the arms 41.

An operating arm 82 is secured to the pipe 58. to which the rocker is also secured for the purpose of rocking the rocker 68 and thereby lowering abrasive unit's shaft 88 and raising the post 44, in consequence of which the spindles. l8 will be held in contact with the abrasive. The arm 62 is operated by a piston 64 in a cylinder 68, the piston rod 65 being pivoted to the arm 82. Suitable operating fluid is admitted into the cylinder 68 from a suitable operator controlled source (not shown, but well known) via a pipe 86.

The shaft 38 is rotated s ep-by-step at suitable intervals by means of a awl carrying-lever 88 pivoted on shaft 38 and having a pawl 68 to engage a ratchet 81 on the u per face of the top disc 4 l. The lever 88 has a p 89 which lies in an elongated slot in a connecting rod 10 that is pivoted to the operating lever 35.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 10, the improved spindle turning means will be understood. Secured to suitably located uprights 8| are horizontally disposed spaced-apart rail backing bars 16 curved as shown in Fig. 1. The friction rails are preferably formed of two channel irons 11- secured back to back and carrying in their channels the friction belts I8 and their resilient back ings. The resilient backings may be of any approved structures, as for examples, pneumatic tubes 19 or resilient rubber 19 as indicated in Fig. 10. The backing bars 16 at the rear ends have stops 88 against which the rear ends of the friction rails abut when in use. The backing bars 16 prevent the channel irons l1 and parts carried by the same from working out sidewise from between the spindle rollers. The bars 16 are not fastened to the channel irons;

In order to remove and replace the friction rails, the guard, fingers 82 on brackets 83, are removed, and a few slats and spindles are removed from the front whereupon the friction rails may be pulled out lengthwise (see dotted lines) and replaced by a reverse movement, when repairs are necessary. The bracket 83 is removably bolted to a vertical support 84 so as to be easily dismantled when necessary.

As the spindle conveyor is driven it will continuously tend to push the friction rails toward the back stops.

The hinge members I] include portions l1 having stop lugs l1 and slots H The portions I! are passed from right to left through the end ribs below the parts I and are held rigidly in place by keys 80 having locking tongues 8|. The lugs l'l abut one end ofthe rib portion 1 while the end 82 engages the lug 9 projected at right angles to the portion 9 of the retaining clip 9.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it is thought the construction, operation and advantages of the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art. I

What I claim is: Y, I

1. In a cotton picking machine wherein spindle-carrying slats are mounted by means of hinge ing elements carried by said backbone :and said ribs; and spindles rotatably mounted in said bearing elements.

2. In a cotton picking machine wherein spindlecarrying slats are mounted by means of hinge elements on conveyor chains: a slat unit comprising a sheet metal ribs clipped to the backbone; intermediate ribs clipped to thebackbone; spindle mounting bearing elements carried by said backbone and said ribs; spindles rotatably mounted in said bearing elements; and a retaining clip held over said backbone and including means for holding the ribs to the backbone.

3. In a cotton picking machine wherein spindlecarrying slats are mounted by means of hinge elements on conveyor chains: a slat unit comprising a sheet metal backbone; top and bottom ribs clipped to the backbone; intermediate ribs clipped to the backbone; spindle mounting bearing elements carried by said backbone and said ribs; spindles rotatably mounted in said bearing elements; said backbone having longitudinally grooved sides and said ribs having portions to snap into the grooves of said sides; and a retaining clip held over said backbone and the portions of said ribs within said grooves.

4. In a cotton picking machine wherein spindlecarrying slats are mounted by means of hinge elements on conveyor chains: a slat unit comprising a. sheet metal backbone; top and bottom ribs clipped to the backbone; intermediate ribs clipped to the backbone; spindle mounting bearing elements carried by said backbone and said ribs; spindles rotatably mounted in said bearing elements; and a retaining clip held over said backbone and including means for holding the ribs to the backbone; said top and bottom ribs having channelled portions and said retaining clip having straps projecting through said channelled backbone; top and bottom' portions; and means locking said straps in said channelled portions.

5. In a cotton picking machine wherein spindie-carrying slats are mounted by means of hinge elements on conveyor chains: a slat unit comprising a sheet metal backbone; top and bottom ribs clipped to the backbone; intermediate ribs clipped to the backbone; spindle mounting hearing elements carried by said backbone and said ribs; spindles rotatably mounted in said bearing elements; said backbone having longitudinally grooved sides and said ribs having portions to snap into the grooves of said sides; and a retaining clip held over said backbone and the portions of said ribs within said grooves; said top and bottom ribs haying channelled portions and said retaining clip mg straps projecting through said channelled portions; and means locking said straps in said channelled portions.

6. In a cotton picking machine wherein spindle-carrying slats are mounted by means of hinge elements on conveyor chains: 9, slat unit comprising a sheet metal backbone; top and bottom ribs clipped to the backbone; intermediate ribs clipped to the backbone; spindle mounting bearing elements carried by said backbone and said ribs; spindles rotatably mounted in said bearing elements; and a retaining clipiheld over said backbone and including means for holding the ribs to the backbone; said top and bottom ribs having channelled p rtions and said retaining clip having straps projecting through said channelled portions; hinge elements each having a leg located in said channelled portions and having a laterally oil'set leg apertured to receive a backbone; bearing blocks in 6 link pin; and means for locking said hinge eleand said straps in the respective channelled portions of said top and bottom ribs.

7. In a cotton die-carrying slats are mounted by means or hinge elements on conveyor chains: a slat unit comprising a sheet metal backbone; top and bottom ribs clipped to the backbone; intermediate ribs clipped to the backbone; spindle mounting hear-- ing elements carried by said backbone and said ribs; spindles rotatably mounted in said bearing elements; said backbone having longitudinally grooved sides and said ribs having portions to snap into the grooves 61' said sides; and a retaining clip held over said backbone and the portions oi. said ribs within said grooves; said top and bottom ribs having channelled portions and said retaining clip having straps projecting through said channelled portions; hinge elements each having a leg located in said channelled portions and having a laterally onset leg apertured to receive a link pin; and means for locking said hinge elements and said straps in the respective channelled portions oi. said top and bottom ribs.

8. A spindle-carrying slat unit including a sheet metal backbone of generally U-shape in cross section and having bent in sides to constitute outer longitudinal channels, and provide strip-receiving channels at the front and back ofsaid bearihg strip; upper and lower end ribs and intermediate ribs each having elements to snap in said outer longitudinal channels for clipping the ribs to the backbone, said ribs having bearing-block-receiving pockets spaced from the said pockets; and picking spindles, having roller mounted in said bearing blocks and penetrating said packing strips, said rollers being located between said backbone and the pockets of said ribs by virtue of which said spindles each have two bearings, one at each side of the roller.

9. A spindle-carrying slat unit including a sheet metal backbone 01' generally u-sh'ape in cross section and having bent in sides to constitute outer longitudinal channels, and provide inner longitudinal packing-strip-receiving channels spaced apart; a spindle bearing strip within the backbone; packing strips'in said packingstrip-receiving channels at the front and back of said bearing strip; upper and lower end ribs and intermediate ribs each having elements to snap in said outer longitudinal channels for clipping the ribs to the backbone, said ribs having bearing-block-receiving pockets spaced from the backbone; bearing blocks in said pockets; picking spindles, h'aving rollers, blocks and penetrating said packing strips, said rollers being located between said backbone and the pockets of said ribs by virtue of which said spindles each have two bearings, one at each side of the roller; and a retaining clip held over said backbone and the portions of said ribs which lie in said outer longitudinal channels.

10. A spindle-carrying slat unit including a sheet metal backbone of generally U-shape in cross section and having bent in sides to constitute outer longitudinal channels, and provide inner longitudinal packing-strip-receiving channels spaced apart; a spindle bearing strip" within the backbon packing strips in said packingstrip receiving channels at the front and back of said bearing strip; upper and lower end ribs and picking machine wherein spin mounted in said bearingv intermediate ribs each having elements to snap in said outer longitudinal channels for clipping the ribs to the backbone, said ribs having bearing-block-receiving pockets spaced from the backbone; bearing blocks in said pockets; ing spindles, having roller, mounted in said bearing strips and penetrating said packing blocks,

said rollers being located between said backbone and the pockets of said ribs by virtue of which said spindles each have two bearings, one at each side of the roller; and wear strips extending along the backbone and the ribs at each side of said roller to take the thrusts on the spindles.

11. A spindle-carrying slat unit including a sheet metal backbone of generally U-shape in cross section and having bent in sides to constitute outer longitudinal channels, and provide said rollers being located between said backbone and the pockets of said ribs by virtue of which said spindles each have two bearings, one at each side of the roller; a retaining clip held over said backbone and the portions of said ribs which lie in said outer longitudinal channels; and wear strips extending along the backbone and the ribs at each side of said roller to take the thrusts on the spindles.

12. A spindle-carrying slat unit including a 'picksheet metal backbone of generally U-shape in cross section and having bent in sides to constitute outer longitudinal channels, and provide inner longitudinal packing-strip-receiving channelsspaced apart; a spindle bearing strip within the backbone; packing strips in said packingstrip-receiving channels at the front and back of said bearing strip; upper and lower end ribs and intermediate ribs each having elements to snap in said outer longitudinal channels for clipping the ribs to the backbone, said ribs havin bearing-block-receiving pockets spaced from the backbone; bearing blocks in said pockets; picking spindles, having rollers, mounted in said bearingblocksand penetrating said packing strips, said rollers being located between said backbone and the pockets of said ribs by virtue of which said spindles each have two bearings, one at each side of the roller; said backbone having ears in at least one of its outer longitudinal channels by which ears said ribs are uniformly spaced apart along the backbone.

JOHN D. RUST.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the die of this patent: V

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,008,230 White Nov. 7, 1911 1,946,741 Hamme Feb. 13, 1934 2,023,491 Rust et al. Dec. 10, 1935 2,058,514 Rust Oct. 27, 1936 2,109,506 Rust Mar. 1, 1938 2,143,901 Rust et al. Jan. 17, 1939 2,162,750 Rust June 20, 1939 2,200,303

Rust May 14, 1940 

